Perspectives | Uniquely Yours Craft Journal

Old Phone Book

12 Aug 2015 1 Comment

by uniquelyyourscraftjournal in Perspectives Tags: friends, phone book

Dear Fellow Jounalers,

G is at it again! Enjoy!

~Sallie

Funny, isn’t it? I mean the way people drift in and out of your life, and sometimes in high numbers? The other day I was cleaning out some old boxes at home, and I found an old, (and I mean 20-30 years old) personal phone book. You know, the kind where you write down the names and addresses of people “on your list.”

My book contained the names of everyone from close personal friends to passing business acquaintances. What a list of names! Surprisingly, I was able to put a face with almost every name. I then lapsed into a session of that great game, ‘I wonder where they are now.’ You know, because I’m sure you’ve played it yourself.

Closely examining the book, I narrowed it down to a list of seven people I would love to talk with again. I started dialing. Here’s the result:

¨ Four were disconnects, or numbers that had been reissued. Not surprising considering the length of time.

¨ One was a number that had passed from a parent to a now married child. Regrettably, my friends from the past had been killed in an auto accident about ten years ago.

¨ The last two? PAYDIRT! I found my long-lost friends!

The conversations were long and friendly. Full of “catching up, and how are you.” It was really a great feeling to reconnect with that long past part of my life again. For a few minutes of conversation, I felt 30 years young again! With one couple I was able to set up a dinner date. The other, a retired Marine now living in Arizona, the reunion would need be delayed. Didn’t matter really, just being in touch was great!

If YOU have an old phone phonebook in your home somewhere. Go dig it out, and start dialing!

Rocks

29 Jul 2015 1 Comment

by uniquelyyourscraftjournal in Perspectives Tags: Happiness, rocks

Dear Fellow Journalers,

Remember when you were in school and the teacher or professor would bring props to class? If you were like me, you probably eyed the object/s suspiciously and did not really concentrate on what the teacher was saying. Well, one philosophy professor brought some rocks to his class one day and here’s what happened:

He stood before the class and wordlessly began to fill a large empty mayonnaise jar with 2″ diameter rocks. He then asked the students if the jar was full. They agreed it was.

So next, the professor picked up a box of pebbles and poured them into the jar. He shook the jar lightly. The pebbles, of course, rolled into the open areas between the rocks. He then asked the students if the jar was full. Again they agreed it was full.

The professor just smiled and took up a bag of sand and poured it into the jar. The sand filled up all the empty crevices. Now the professor cleaned off his hands and spoke to the class.

“This is your life. The rocks are the important things in your life – your family, friends, children, health – anything that is most important to you. The pebbles are the other things that matter, like your job, house, car, phone, laptop. The sand is everything else – the small stuff.

What would happen, for instance, if you were to put sand in first?” A student in the back of the room raised his hand and said “the rocks and pebbles wouldn’t fit.” “Yes,” said the professor. “If you spend all your energy and time on the small stuff, you’ll never have room for the things that are important to you. So pay attention to the things that are important to your happiness.” He began to tick off the things that were important to many of his students. “To those of you who have children – play with them. Tell your wife or partner that you love them every day. Get health checkups. You can make time for house cleaning. Take care of the rocks first; the rest is sand.”

Rocks

How are your rocks?

~Sallie

Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given

To Sallie and uniquelyyourscraftjournal with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.

You may reach Sallie at uniquelyyourscraftjournal@outlook.com

Is there too much noise in your life?

22 Jul 2015 Comments Off on Is there too much noise in your life?

by uniquelyyourscraftjournal in Perspectives Tags: mediating, noise, Solitude

Dear Fellow Journalers,

Noise

Lately it seems that the world is awash with noise. Either it’s lawn mowers at 8:00 am on a Saturday morning (uh?) or radio music blaring from the car next to you in traffic. It might not seem like a “big deal” to you, but have you tried to shut off the noise in your life lately?

No one seems to want peace and quiet anymore. I noticed this last year when I tried mediating. Boy is it tough! The noise outside my window, the hum of kitchen appliances combined to make the experience impossible. I had wanted to write some posts for this blog and thought that if I got in touch with myself, I could reach inside and reclaim some peace and quiet and pour out “pearls of wisdom” for you. I gave up trying to mediate but I started researching.

How much noise is too much? What could I do to temporarily shut off all that noise?

I learned that blood pressure can spike when a cell phone goes off. More importantly, I learned that a noisy environment (like a crowded restaurant) could affect short-term memory. Yikes, I’m getting older – I need all the memory I can retain!

Below are some suggestions for you to try if YOUR world is too noisy:

1. Try to take a noise break for 5 minutes at a time.

2. When you get into your car, don’t automatically turn on the radio. Drive for about 10 minutes before you turn on your favorite station.

3. Choose what portion of the news you want to watch on TV.

4. Make a rule – no cell/smart phone or tablet at family dinner.

Buy a pair of noise-canceling earbuds.
If you’re a Church/Temple goer, try to arrive 10 minutes early when the place of worship is empty.
A library is a Very Quite Place on purpose!

Life’s small moments can only add up to something memorable when you give yourself the gift of solitude. Peace and Quiet will aid in your journaling, your conversations and your life.

~Sallie

Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given

To Sallie and uniquelyyourscraftjournal with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.

You may reach Sallie at uniquelyyourscraftjournal@outlook.com

The kid at Home Depot

15 Jul 2015 Comments Off on The kid at Home Depot

by uniquelyyourscraftjournal in Perspectives Tags: future, Home Depot, screwdrivers, tools

Dear Fellow Journalers,

Another post from G!

The other day I had to go to Home Depot to pick up some stuff, and remembered I needed a new screwdriver.

Turning into the tool aisle, I spotted a young boy, whom I would guess to be about 7 or 8, and his mother. This kid was pointing out various and asundry tools to his mom, and telling her their uses. I was impressed! I couldn’t name half those tools, let alone tell you what they did!

I listened intently. This kid was rattling this off like other kids would rattle off baseball stats, or maybe a litany of their favorite groups’ songs.

I couldn’t resist interacting with this kid.

Hey sport, can you tell me where to find the screwdrivers?

Flathead, Phillips, or combo?

Whoa! This kid is deadly!

Flathead.

Right over here mister.

He then proceeded to pick up one brand and model and explain why this was the one I needed to buy, even though it was more expensive.

In the background, I noticed his mother trying not to laugh as this kid gave a passionate lecture on screwdrivers.

Well sport, you sold me! This is the only one I’m buying. Tell me, why do you love tools so much?

Oh mister, do you know what you can do with tools? Do you know what you can build or fix? When I’m 10, my mom is going to buy me a whole tool kit. I can’t wait! (He said it with the passion of a kid waiting on their first car)

What’s the first thing you’re going to build? I asked.

Quickly he said: A kitchen table! Ours is a little wobbly, and I want our family to have a nice place to eat.

I got all emotional at his emotion.

His mom then explained that while other kids like to go to playgrounds or some such, her son only wanted a weekly trip to Home Depot.

Hey sport, this screwdriver you recommend so highly, you got one?

No, not yet, he said.

Well, you and your mom come with me to the front, because I’m buying 2, and giving one to you.

His mother protested, but I insisted.

When I gave the screwdriver to this amazing kid, you’d think I’d given him an x-box or something!

Thanks mister, thanks a lot

Walking to my car, I thought wouldn’t it be wonderful if ALL kids showed such enthusiasm for life, and for what they’d wish to be their life’s’ work!?

This kid is going to build the future of America, and I’m proud to say I helped encourage him.

~Sallie

Stuff

08 Jul 2015 Comments Off on Stuff

by uniquelyyourscraftjournal in Perspectives Tags: stuff

Dear Fellow Journalers,

This is a classic G post. Enjoy!

~Sallie

I don’t know about you, but I have too much stuff. You know, that stuff that just appears and accumulates in one’s life. And I guarantee you that stuff is a prolific breeder. Wherever you have stuff, more stuff will mysteriously and magically appear. Stuff hates to be alone.

No one is exactly sure what causes stuff to be. In my case, one cause is that I’ll be in a store somewhere, see something, and say Hey that’s cool. I can use that. Then, I’ll find that item, two years later, still in its original packaging, has become stuff.

The best that can happen is that when you’re going through stuff, you come across something that you have an immediate need / use for. You put the item into service right then and there. It stops being stuff at this point.

The worst that can happen is you come across stuff and ask yourself What the hell did I buy that for?! Then you must dispose of it or retain it as stuff. If you retain, that’s when the phenom known as stuff begins. And remember, stuff breeds stuff.

I recently spent an afternoon going through stuff. That’s when I discovered the absolute worst thing that can happen. Intending to rid myself of a bunch of stuff, I fell victim to one of stuffs best allies But I may have a use for this SOMEDAY!. Working closely together, stuff may have us conspire to take over all the space in your life. If you’re not careful, you’ll wake up one day and say Where did all this stuff come from?!

Stuff also can cast a magic spell. This spell has us saying, I’ve got to clean this stuff up SOMEDAY! Well friends, I’ve checked several calendars, and there’s no day of the week named SOMEDAY.

You know something else? If you don’t clean up your stuff, when you die, other people will come in and clean it up. Know what they’ll say? Look at all this shit stuff (insert your name) had? Why did they save this stuff?

OK gang, time to clean up your stuff. BE RUTHLESS! Don’t fall prey to the traps I’ve outlined. Get rid of a lot of stuff. Especially those wayward parts for a coffee maker you had ten years ago.

P.S. If when you’re cleaning out your stuff, you find some real good stuff, and you can’t bear to throw it out, send it over to my house! I’ve cleaned out so much that my stuff is getting lonely and needs more stuff to keep it company! Besides, and you know this is true, your stuff will accumulate more stuff again anyway!